Glyceryl monostearate 40 (GMS 40) is a type of glyceryl monostearate, used as a common food emulsifier to improve the stability and texture of many processed foods. It is produced by reacting glycerol with edible fatty acids and typically contains about 40% monoglycerides. This blog primarily introduces the applications of GMS 40 in various food industries.
1. Dairy and Non-Dairy Products
GMS 40 is widely used in dairy-based and plant-based products such as ice cream, whipped toppings, coffee whiteners, and milk beverages. It helps create smooth and stable emulsions by keeping fat and water evenly mixed. In ice cream, it improves aeration, reduces ice crystal formation, and enhances creamy mouthfeel. In coffee creamers, it prevents fat separation and improves appearance and texture during storage.
2. Bakery Products
In bakery applications, GMS 40 acts as a dough conditioner and crumb softener. It strengthens gluten, improves gas retention, and helps dough expand more uniformly during baking. This results in bread and cakes with better volume, fine texture, and longer freshness. It also interacts with starch to delay staling, making baked goods stay soft for a longer time. Common applications include bread, buns, sponge cakes, and pastries.
3. Margarine and Spreads
In margarine, butter blends, and spreads, GMS 40 emulsifier enhances emulsion stability and plasticity. It ensures even distribution of water and oil phases, giving the product a smooth texture and easy spreadability. It also improves aeration and helps maintain product structure at different temperatures, preventing oil separation or syneresis.
4. Confectionery and Chocolate
GMS 40 is commonly used in chocolate, toffee, and compound coatings. It acts as a lubricant and viscosity reducer, improving flow during processing and molding. It also prevents fat bloom and enhances gloss, giving chocolates a shiny, uniform finish. In toffee and caramel, GMS 40 provides a smoother, more elastic texture and prevents sugar crystallization.
5. Sauces and Dressings
In sauces, mayonnaise, salad dressings, and condiments, GMS 40 functions as a stabilizer and emulsifier that maintains the uniform distribution of oil and water. It helps prevent separation during storage, giving products a consistent texture and appearance. Its ability to create a stable emulsion also improves mouthfeel and pourability, making it ideal for both high-fat and reduced-fat formulations.
6. Beverage Emulsions
In beverages containing oils, flavors, or vitamins, GMS 40 serves as an emulsion stabilizer. It helps disperse oil droplets evenly throughout the liquid, preventing the creaming or sedimentation. This ensures a stable appearance and consistent flavor profile in products such as flavored milk, nutritional drinks, and fruit emulsions.
7. Meat Products
GMS 40 is used in processed meats such as sausages, hams, and meat patties to improve water retention, texture, and fat dispersion. It acts as an emulsifier that helps bind fat and water, resulting in juicier, firmer, and more uniform products. It also enhances sliceability and reduces cooking loss, contributing to higher yield and better product stability.
In fact, besides the food industry, GMS 40 also finds use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. It acts as a thickener, stabilizer, or anti-static agent in creams, lotions, and capsules. In plastics, it can serve as a lubricant or release agent to improve processing efficiency.
Conclusion
Glyceryl monostearate 40 (GMS 40) has excellent emulsifying, stabilizing, and anti-aging properties, helping to improve product texture and shelf life. If you are looking for high-quality ingredients for your food formulations, Chemsino is a trusted supplier of food emulsifiers. All products are ISO, Halal, Kosher, and RSPO certified. Contact us today for free samples.